Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks 9/21/14 NFL Pick, Odds, Prediction

TV: CBS

The Seattle Seahawks look to shut down the Denver Broncos after one of the most dominant Super Bowl performances in history.

The Denver Broncos have opened the year 2-0 after cruising on offense in the first half each week then having to sweat the result late after getting conservative on offense while playing with the lead. Nonetheless, it has been basically what we saw out of the Broncos last season on offense with Peyton Manning completing 69% of his passes on the year for 511 total yards with six TD’s and no interceptions. The Broncos receiving corps is stacked with Demaryius Thomas and Emannuel Sanders at WR and Julius Thomas at TE, and they could get even stronger if Wes Welker returns to action for this contest after practicing on Wednesday. The backfield is average on paper with Monte Ball and Ronnie Hillman but both backs get better by association with Manning benefiting from audibles at the line – that strength could be muted though playing in Seattle with the intense crowd noise.

USA TODAY Sports

The Denver defense has been solid against the run thus far but ranks 30th in the league in passing yards, similar to what we saw out of the team last season due to teams throwing the ball often while trailing. The rush defense will have its hands full in this contest and the secondary also hasn’t been faced with defending a player as versatile as Percy Harvin in both running and passing situations. Manning will certainly be ready for this game, but you have to wonder if the Seahawks are in his head after such a brutal Super Bowl loss.

The Seattle Seahawks are 1-1 entering this contest after issuing a beat down to the Packers on opening night and falling in San Diego to the Chargers in week two, 30-21. The Seahawks defense struggled in defending the Chargers passing offense last week allowing 284 total yards as Chargers tight end Antonio Gates hauled in three touchdown passes. On offense, Seattle was effective running the ball against the Chargers with 108 yards on 13 carries (most of which came on two runs by Percy Harvin with Marshawn Lynch getting just six carries) and QB Russell Wilson completed 17/25 passes for 202 yards and two TD’s. No Seahawk has exceeded 70 yards receiving thus far on the season with Jermaine Kearse and Percy Harvin leading the team thus far in yards.

The Seattle defense has been stout against the run to start the year as we’ve come to expect as they enter this contest ranking 9th in the league in this young season. Of course Seattle’s biggest edge in this contest will arguably be the 12th man which led to the team finishing 9-1 at home last year including two postseason wins.

This is about as big of a revenge game as you can draw up and maybe I’m being stubborn but I expect the Broncos to rise to the occasion and if not atone for the Super Bowl loss at least put up a fight this time around and get the cover.

Denver Broncos +5 (5 units)

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